Vehicular safety brake light system

• US 6,744,361 B1
• Filed: 12/10/2001
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harold Maddox
• Original Assignee: Harold Maddox
• Inventors: Maddox, Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US10/010,609
• Time in Patent Office: 904 Days
• Field of Search: 340/463, 340/464, 340/467, 340/468, 340/471, 340/475, 340/479, 362/61
• US Class Current: 340/479
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal

Abstract

A vehicle safety light bulb operable in first and second modes. The bulb includes a self-contained electrical circuit having a timer mechanism, with a reset, to control the first operating mode for a preselected time, such as 2-3 seconds, where a preferred first mode is a flashing light.

Claims

1. A safety light bulb mechanism for a vehicle operable in first and second specific modes, said modes being determined by a self-contained circuitry system, where said vehicle includes a portable electrical source, said bulb mechanism comprising:

a bulb and a base assembly for receipt in a complementary receptacle in said vehicle normally used to receive a conventional bulb mechanism, and an electric circuit adapted to said bulb and base assembly and in electrical communication with an actuator and said electrical source, said electric circuit containing a timer mechanism, with a time reset, upon actuation of said actuator to control the first said operating mode for a preselected time, then changing to the second said operating mode, where said first operating mode is a flashing/pulsing light and said second operating mode is a constant light;

wherein said electric circuit includes a filter regulator for the dissipation of voltage from said electric circuit during said second operating mode and for allowing said bulb to operate in said second operating mode in case of malfunction in said electric circuit.

2. The safety light bulb mechanism according to claim 1, including a switch to change the rate of flashing of said first operating mode.

3. The safety light bulb mechanism according to claim 2, wherein said preselected time is in the range of about 2 to 3 seconds.

4. The safety light bulb mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said electric circuit is contained within a chip disposed between said bulb and said base.

5. In combination with a vehicle having a braking system, operable by depression of a brake pedal, where said system includes a vacuum bulb mechanism, a receptacle for receiving said mechanism, and is operable by depression of said pedal to light said vacuum bulb mechanism, and a portable electric power source for operating said system,

a safety light bulb mechanism for replacing said vacuum bulb mechanism in said receptacle and operable in first and second specific modes, said modes being determined by a self-contained circuitry system, said safety light bulb mechanism comprising:

a vacuum bulb containing an electrical filament and a base for receipt in said receptacle, and an electric circuit, in electrical communication with said electrical source, containing a timer mechanism, with a time reset, to control the first said operating mode for a preselected time, then changing to the second said operating mode, where said first operating mode is a flashing light and said second operating mode is a constant light;

wherein said electric circuit includes a filter regulator for the dissipation of voltage from said electric circuit during said second operating mode, and for allowing said bulb to operate in said second operating mode in case of malfunction in said electric circuit.

6. The combination according to claim 5, including a switch in said electric circuit to change the rate of flashing/pulsing of said first operating mode.

7. The combination according to claim 6, wherein said preselected time is in the range of about 2 to 3 seconds.

8. The combination according to claim 5, wherein said electric circuit is contained within a chip disposed between said vacuum bulb and said base.